[Federal Register: September 8, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 173)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 52870-52872]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr08se03-21]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2002-NM-08-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10-10, DC-
10-10F, DC-10-15, DC-10-30, DC-10-30F, DC-10-30F (KC-10A and KDC-10),
DC-10-40, and DC-10-40F Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas
airplanes listed above. This proposal would require a one-time
inspection for damage of the power feeder cables and surrounding
structure, and repair if necessary. For certain airplanes, this
proposal would require fabricating and installing a power feeder
support bracket assembly and clamps at station Y=595.000, left side.
For certain other airplanes, this proposal would require installing two
power feeder support brackets and clamps at station Y=606.000, left
side. This action is necessary to prevent chafing of the external
ground power feeder cables against the adjacent structure, which could
result in arcing and fire. This action is intended to address the
identified unsafe condition.
DATES: Comments must be received by October 23, 2003.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-NM-08-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this
location between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays. Comments may be submitted via fax to (425) 227-1232.
Comments may also be sent via the Internet using the following address:
9-anm-nprmcomment@faa.gov. Comments sent via fax or the Internet must
contain ``Docket No. 2002-NM-08-AD'' in the subject line and need not
be submitted in triplicate. Comments sent via the Internet as attached
electronic files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 or 2000 or
ASCII text.
The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be
obtained from Boeing Commercial Aircraft Group, Long Beach Division,
3855 Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90846, Attention: Data
and Service Management, Dept. C1-L5A (D800-0024). This information may
be examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft
Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Natalie Phan-Tran, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft
Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California
90712-4137; telephone (562) 627-5343; fax (562) 627-5210.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as
they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments,
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this action may be changed in
light of the comments received.
Submit comments using the following format:
[sbull] Organize comments issue-by-issue. For example, discuss a
request to change the compliance time and a request to change the
service bulletin reference as two separate issues.
[sbull] For each issue, state what specific change to the proposed
AD is being requested.
[sbull] Include justification (e.g., reasons or data) for each
request.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
[[Page 52871]]
submitted in response to this action must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 2002-NM-08-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Availability of NPRMs
Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 2002-NM-08-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
The FAA has received a report of arcing and a fire on a McDonnell
Douglas Model DC-10 airplane in the area of the external ground power
feeder cables and the adjacent structure at station Y=595.000, left
side, at longerons 40 and 41. Chafing of the cables against the
structure was discovered during maintenance. Investigation has revealed
that, lacking any clamping in the area, the power feeder cables had
been pulled taut against the adjacent structure, resulting in the
chafing. This condition, if not corrected, could result in arcing and
fire at this location.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
The FAA has reviewed and approved Boeing Alert Service Bulletin
DC10-24A171, Revision 02, dated March 7, 2003. The service bulletin
describes procedures for a visual inspection of the power feeder cables
and surrounding structure for damage, and repair if necessary. In
addition, for Group 1 and Group 3 airplanes, which have a floor beam at
station Y=595.000, the service bulletin describes procedures for
fabricating and installing a power feeder support bracket assembly and
clamps at station Y=595.000, left side. For Group 2 airplanes, which
have a floor beam at station Y=606.000, the service bulletin describes
procedures for installing two power feeder support brackets and clamps
at station Y=606.000, left side. Accomplishment of the actions
specified in the service bulletin is intended to adequately address the
identified unsafe condition.
Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other products of this same type design, the
proposed AD would require accomplishment of the actions specified in
the service bulletin described previously, except as described below.
Changes to 14 CFR part 39/Effect on the Proposed AD
On July 10, 2002, the FAA issued a new version of 14 CFR part 39
(67 FR 47997, July 22, 2002), which governs the FAA's airworthiness
directives system. The regulation now includes material that relates to
altered products, special flight permits, and alternative methods of
compliance (AMOCs). This proposed AD identifies the office authorized
to approve AMOCs in paragraph (c).
Change to Labor Rate Estimate
We have reviewed the figures we have used over the past several
years to calculate AD costs to operators. To account for various
inflationary costs in the airline industry, we find it necessary to
increase the labor rate used in these calculations from $60 per work
hour to $65 per work hour. The cost impact information, below, reflects
this increase in the specified hourly labor rate.
Cost Impact
There are approximately 59 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 44 airplanes of U.S. registry
would be affected by this proposed AD.
It would take approximately 2 to 3 work hours per airplane to
accomplish the proposed actions, at an average labor rate of $65 per
work hour. Required parts would cost approximately $385 per airplane.
Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S.
operators is estimated to be $22,660 to $25,520, or $515 to $580 per
airplane.
The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that
no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed requirements of
this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in
the future if this proposed AD were not adopted. The cost impact
figures discussed in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time
necessary to perform the specific actions actually required by the AD.
These figures typically do not include incidental costs, such as the
time required to gain access and close up, planning time, or time
necessitated by other administrative actions.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations proposed herein would not have a substantial direct
effect on the States, on the relationship between the national
Government and the States, or on the distribution of power and
responsibilities among the various levels of government. Therefore, it
is determined that this proposal would not have federalism implications
under Executive Order 13132.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed
regulation (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);
and (3) if promulgated, will not have a significant economic impact,
positive or negative, on a substantial number of small entities under
the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. A copy of the draft
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules
Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend
part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as
follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
McDonnell Douglas: Docket 2002-NM-08-AD.
Applicability: Model DC-10-10, DC-10-10F, DC-10-15, DC-10-30,
DC-10-30F, DC-10-30F (KC-10A and KDC-10), DC-10-40, and DC-10-40F
airplanes; certificated in any category; as listed in Boeing Alert
Service Bulletin DC10-24A171, Revision 02, dated March 7, 2003.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent chafing of the external ground power feeder cables
against the adjacent structure, which could result in arcing and
fire, accomplish the following:
Inspection
(a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD: Perform
a general visual inspection for damage of the power feeder cables
and surrounding structure, in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC10-24A171, Revision
02, dated March 7, 2003. If any damage is found, repair it before
further flight in accordance with the service bulletin. Inspections
and repairs done before
[[Page 52872]]
the effective date of this AD in accordance with Revision 01 of the
service bulletin, dated November 6, 2002, are also acceptable for
compliance with the requirements of this paragraph.
Note: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection
is defined as: ``A visual examination of an interior or exterior
area, installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure,
or irregularity. This level of inspection is made from within
touching distance unless otherwise specified. A mirror may be
necessary to enhance visual access to all exposed surfaces in the
inspection area. This level of inspection is made under normally
available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting,
flashlight, or droplight and may require removal or opening of
access panels or doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be
required to gain proximity to the area being checked.''
Bracket Installation
(b) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD: Perform
the actions specified in paragraphs (b)(1) and (b)(2) of this AD in
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert
Service Bulletin DC10-24A171, Revision 02, dated March 7, 2003.
Accomplishment of the actions before the effective date of this AD
in accordance with Revision 01 of the service bulletin, dated
November 6, 2002 is also acceptable for compliance with the
requirements of this paragraph.
(1) For Group 1 and Group 3 airplanes: Fabricate and install a
new power feeder support bracket assembly and clamps at station
Y=595.000, left side. Bracket fabrication and installation done
before the effective date of this AD in accordance with the original
issue of the service bulletin, dated October 18, 2001, is also
acceptable for compliance with the requirements of paragraph (b)(1)
of this AD.
(2) For Group 2 airplanes: Install 2 power feeder support
brackets and clamps at station Y=606.000, left side.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(c) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, Los Angeles
Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, is authorized to approve
alternative methods of compliance for this AD.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 29, 2003.
Vi L. Lipski,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-22709 Filed 9-5-03; 8:45 am]
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